阅读说明：本技术 显示装置 (Display device ) 是由 方珍淑 任相薰 金东勋 郑鎭旭 崔眞荣 洪银政 于 2020-09-10 设计创作，主要内容包括：显示装置包括基础衬底、薄膜晶体管、绝缘层、连接电极、第一通孔绝缘层、第一电极、发光层和第二电极,其中,薄膜晶体管布置在基础衬底上并且包括有源图案,绝缘层布置在薄膜晶体管的有源图案上,连接电极布置在绝缘层上并且电连接到薄膜晶体管,其中,连接电极包括弯折布线部,第一通孔绝缘层覆盖连接电极,第一电极布置在第一通孔绝缘层上,发光层布置在第一电极上并且与连接电极至少部分地重叠,并且第二电极布置在发光层上。(The display device includes a base substrate, a thin film transistor, an insulating layer, a connection electrode, a first via insulating layer, a first electrode, a light emitting layer, and a second electrode, wherein the thin film transistor is disposed on the base substrate and includes an active pattern, the insulating layer is disposed on the active pattern of the thin film transistor, the connection electrode is disposed on the insulating layer and is electrically connected to the thin film transistor, wherein the connection electrode includes a bent wiring portion, the first via insulating layer covers the connection electrode, the first electrode is disposed on the first via insulating layer, the light emitting layer is disposed on the first electrode and at least partially overlaps the connection electrode, and the second electrode is disposed on the light emitting layer.)

1. A display device, comprising:

a base substrate;

a thin film transistor disposed on the base substrate and including an active pattern;

an insulating layer disposed on the active pattern of the thin film transistor;

a connection electrode disposed on the insulating layer and electrically connected to the thin film transistor, wherein the connection electrode includes a bent wiring portion;

a first via hole insulating layer covering the connection electrode;

a first electrode disposed on the first via insulating layer;

a light emitting layer disposed on the first electrode and at least partially overlapping the connection electrode; and

a second electrode disposed on the light emitting layer.

2. The display device of claim 1, further comprising:

a plurality of data lines arranged along a first direction, wherein each of the plurality of data lines extends in a second direction crossing the first direction,

wherein the connection electrode includes a first contact portion, a second contact portion spaced apart from the first contact portion in the second direction, and the meander wiring portion connecting the first contact portion to the second contact portion.

3. The display device according to claim 2, wherein a data line adjacent to the connection electrode among the plurality of data lines includes a straight line portion and a bent line portion connected to the straight line portion, wherein the bent line portion is adjacent to the bent wiring portion of the connection electrode.

4. The display device of claim 1, wherein the light emitting layer comprises a blue light emitting layer configured to emit blue light.

5. The display device of claim 4, further comprising:

a red light emitting layer spaced apart from the blue light emitting layer and configured to emit red light; and

a green light emitting layer spaced apart from the blue light emitting layer and the red light emitting layer and configured to emit green light,

wherein a thickness of the blue light emitting layer is smaller than a thickness of each of the red light emitting layer and the green light emitting layer.

6. The display device of claim 1, further comprising:

a plurality of power lines arranged along a first direction, wherein each of the plurality of power lines extends in a second direction intersecting the first direction,

wherein the connection electrode includes a first contact portion, a second contact portion spaced apart from the first contact portion in the second direction, and the meander wiring portion connecting the first contact portion to the second contact portion, and

wherein a power line adjacent to the connection electrode among the plurality of power lines includes a straight portion and a meander line portion connected to the straight portion, wherein the meander line portion is adjacent to the meander line portion of the connection electrode.

7. The display device according to claim 1, wherein the connection electrode includes a first contact portion, a second contact portion spaced apart from the first contact portion, and the meander wiring portion connecting the first contact portion to the second contact portion, and

wherein the bent wiring portion has an annular shape.

8. The display device according to claim 7, wherein the meander wiring portion overlaps the light emitting layer.

9. The display device according to claim 1, wherein the connection electrode includes a first contact portion, a second contact portion spaced apart from the first contact portion, and the meander wiring portion connecting the first contact portion to the second contact portion, and

wherein, the bending wiring part has a bending shape.

10. The display device of claim 1, further comprising:

a source electrode and a drain electrode disposed between the base substrate and the connection electrode; and

a second via insulating layer disposed between the source and drain electrodes and the connection electrode,

wherein the connection electrode is electrically connected to the drain electrode through a contact hole formed through the second via insulating layer.

11. The display device according to claim 10, wherein the connection electrode includes a contact portion and the meander wiring portion connected to the contact portion, and

wherein the contact portion of the connection electrode is electrically connected to the first electrode through a contact hole formed through the first via hole insulating layer.

12. The display device according to claim 11, wherein the meander wiring portion of the connection electrode has an annular shape, and

wherein the bent wiring portion overlaps with the light emitting layer.

13. The display device according to claim 11, wherein the meander wiring portion of the connection electrode has a meander shape, and

wherein the bent wiring portion overlaps with the light emitting layer.

14. The display device according to claim 10, wherein the connection electrode includes a first contact portion, a second contact portion spaced apart from the first contact portion, and the meander wiring portion connecting the first contact portion to the second contact portion, and

wherein each of the first contact portion and the second contact portion is electrically connected to a conductive pattern of another layer through a contact hole formed through the second via insulating layer.

15. The display device according to claim 1, wherein a top surface of the first via hole insulating layer is formed with a concave-convex portion corresponding to the connection electrode.

16. The display device according to claim 15, wherein a top surface of the first electrode is formed with a concave-convex portion corresponding to the concave-convex portion of the first via hole insulating layer.

17. A display device, comprising:

a base substrate;

a thin film transistor disposed on the base substrate and including an active pattern;

an insulating layer disposed on the active pattern of the thin film transistor;

a connection electrode disposed on the insulating layer and electrically connected to the thin film transistor, wherein the connection electrode includes a dummy portion including a lateral portion extending in a first direction;

a via hole insulating layer covering the connection electrode;

a first electrode disposed on the via insulating layer;

a light emitting layer disposed on the first electrode and overlapping the dummy portion of the connection electrode; and

a second electrode disposed on the light emitting layer.

18. The display device of claim 17, wherein the dummy portion further comprises a longitudinal portion extending in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction.

19. The display device according to claim 17, wherein the connection electrode further comprises a first contact portion, a second contact portion spaced apart from the first contact portion in a second direction, and a connection wiring portion connecting the first contact portion to the second contact portion, and wherein the dummy portion extends from the first contact portion, the second contact portion, or the connection wiring portion, and

wherein the dummy portion overlaps with the light emitting layer.

20. The display device according to claim 17, wherein the light emitting layer is a blue light emitting layer configured to emit blue light,

wherein the display device further comprises:

a red light emitting layer spaced apart from the blue light emitting layer and configured to emit red light; and

a green light emitting layer spaced apart from the blue light emitting layer and the red light emitting layer and configured to emit green light, an

Wherein a thickness of the blue light emitting layer is smaller than a thickness of each of the red light emitting layer and the green light emitting layer.

Technical Field

Exemplary embodiments of the inventive concept relate generally to display devices. More particularly, exemplary embodiments of the inventive concept relate to a display device having a connection electrode.

Background

As technology improves, display products with smaller size, lighter weight, and better performance are being produced. Conventional Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) televisions have been widely used for display devices due to their performance and price. However, recently, display devices such as plasma display devices, liquid crystal display devices, and organic light emitting diode display devices have been increasingly used because they provide increased miniaturization or portability, are lightweight, and have relatively low power consumption when compared to CRTs.

An organic light emitting diode display device generally includes a substrate, a plurality of wirings disposed on the substrate, and a light emitting structure disposed on the wirings.

Disclosure of Invention

According to an exemplary embodiment of the inventive concept, a display device includes a base substrate, a thin film transistor disposed on the base substrate and including an active pattern, an insulating layer disposed on the active pattern of the thin film transistor, a connection electrode disposed on the insulating layer and electrically connected to the thin film transistor, wherein the connection electrode includes a bent wiring portion, the first via insulating layer covers the connection electrode, the first electrode is disposed on the first via insulating layer, the light emitting layer is disposed on the first electrode and at least partially overlaps the connection electrode, and the second electrode is disposed on the light emitting layer.

In an exemplary embodiment of the inventive concept, the display device further includes a plurality of data lines, wherein the plurality of data lines are arranged along a first direction, wherein each of the plurality of data lines extends in a second direction crossing the first direction, wherein the connection electrode includes a first contact portion, a second contact portion spaced apart from the first contact portion in the second direction, and a bent wiring portion connecting the first contact portion to the second contact portion.

In an exemplary embodiment of the inventive concept, a data line adjacent to a connection electrode among a plurality of data lines includes a straight line portion and a meander line portion connected to the straight line portion, wherein the meander line portion is adjacent to a meander wiring portion of the connection electrode.

In exemplary embodiments of the inventive concept, the light emitting layer includes a blue light emitting layer configured to emit blue light.

In an exemplary embodiment of the inventive concept, the display device further includes a red light emitting layer and a green light emitting layer, wherein the red light emitting layer is spaced apart from the blue light emitting layer and configured to emit red light, and the green light emitting layer is spaced apart from the blue light emitting layer and the red light emitting layer and configured to emit green light, wherein a thickness of the blue light emitting layer is less than a thickness of each of the red light emitting layer and the green light emitting layer.

In an exemplary embodiment of the inventive concept, the display device further includes a plurality of power lines, wherein the plurality of power lines are arranged along a first direction, wherein each of the plurality of power lines extends in a second direction crossing the first direction, wherein the connection electrode includes a first contact portion, a second contact portion spaced apart from the first contact portion in the second direction, and a meander wiring portion connecting the first contact portion to the second contact portion, and wherein a power line adjacent to the connection electrode among the plurality of power lines includes a straight portion and a meander wiring portion connected to the straight portion, wherein the meander wiring portion is adjacent to the meander wiring portion of the connection electrode.

In an exemplary embodiment of the inventive concept, the connection electrode includes a first contact portion, a second contact portion spaced apart from the first contact portion, and a meander wiring portion connecting the first contact portion to the second contact portion, and wherein the meander wiring portion has an annular shape.

In an exemplary embodiment of the inventive concept, the meander wiring portion overlaps with the light emitting layer.

In an exemplary embodiment of the inventive concept, the connection electrode includes a first contact portion, a second contact portion spaced apart from the first contact portion, and a meander wiring portion connecting the first contact portion to the second contact portion, and wherein the meander wiring portion has a meander shape.

In an exemplary embodiment of the inventive concept, the display device further includes a source electrode, a drain electrode, and a second via insulating layer, wherein the source electrode and the drain electrode are disposed between the base substrate and the connection electrode, and the second via insulating layer is disposed between the source and drain electrodes and the connection electrode, wherein the connection electrode is electrically connected to the drain electrode through a contact hole formed through the second via insulating layer.

In an exemplary embodiment of the inventive concept, the connection electrode includes a contact portion and a meander wiring portion connected to the contact portion, and wherein the contact portion of the connection electrode is electrically connected to the first electrode through a contact hole formed through the first via hole insulating layer.

In an exemplary embodiment of the inventive concept, the meander wiring portion connecting the electrodes has a ring shape, and wherein the meander wiring portion overlaps the light emitting layer.

In an exemplary embodiment of the inventive concept, the meander wiring portion connecting the electrodes has a meander shape, and wherein the meander wiring portion overlaps the light emitting layer.

In an exemplary embodiment of the inventive concept, the connection electrode includes a first contact portion, a second contact portion spaced apart from the first contact portion, and a meander wiring portion connecting the first contact portion to the second contact portion, and wherein each of the first and second contact portions is electrically connected to the conductive pattern of the other layer through a contact hole formed through the second via hole insulating layer.

In an exemplary embodiment of the inventive concept, a concave and convex portion corresponding to the connection electrode is formed on a top surface of the first via hole insulating layer.

In an exemplary embodiment of the inventive concept, a concave-convex portion corresponding to the concave-convex portion of the first via hole insulating layer is formed on the top surface of the first electrode.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the inventive concept, a display device includes a base substrate, a thin film transistor disposed on the base substrate and including an active pattern, an insulating layer disposed on the active pattern of the thin film transistor, a connection electrode disposed on the insulating layer and electrically connected to the thin film transistor, wherein the connection electrode includes a dummy portion including a lateral portion extending in a first direction, a via insulating layer covering the connection electrode, a first electrode disposed on the via insulating layer, a light emitting layer disposed on the first electrode and overlapping the dummy portion of the connection electrode, and a second electrode disposed on the light emitting layer.

In an exemplary embodiment of the inventive concept, the dummy portion further includes a longitudinal portion extending in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction.

In an exemplary embodiment of the inventive concept, the connection electrode further includes a first contact portion, a second contact portion spaced apart from the first contact portion in the second direction, and a connection wiring portion connecting the first contact portion to the second contact portion, and wherein the dummy portion extends from the first contact portion, the second contact portion, or the connection wiring portion, and wherein the dummy portion overlaps the light emitting layer.

In an exemplary embodiment of the inventive concept, the light emitting layer is a blue light emitting layer configured to emit blue light, wherein the display device further includes a red light emitting layer spaced apart from the blue light emitting layer and configured to emit red light and a green light emitting layer spaced apart from the blue light emitting layer and the red light emitting layer and configured to emit green light, and wherein a thickness of the blue light emitting layer is less than a thickness of each of the red light emitting layer and the green light emitting layer.

Drawings

The above and other features of the present inventive concept will become more apparent by describing in detail exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure with reference to the attached drawings, in which:

fig. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a display apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present inventive concept;

fig. 2 is a circuit diagram showing an example of a pixel included in the display device of fig. 1;

fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a display device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present inventive concept;

fig. 4 is a plan view illustrating a source-drain conductive layer, a pixel electrode, and a light emitting layer of the display device of fig. 3;

fig. 5A, 5B, 5C, and 5D are plan views illustrating various examples of connection electrodes of a display device according to an exemplary embodiment of the inventive concept;

fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a display device according to an exemplary embodiment of the inventive concept;

fig. 7 is a plan view illustrating electrodes, pixel electrodes, and a light emitting layer of the display device of fig. 6;

fig. 8 is a block diagram illustrating an electronic device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present inventive concept;

fig. 9A is a diagram showing an example in which the electronic apparatus of fig. 8 is implemented as a television; and

fig. 9B is a diagram illustrating an example in which the electronic device of fig. 8 is implemented as a smartphone.

Detailed Description

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the inventive concept will be explained in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Fig. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a display apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the inventive concept.

Referring to fig. 1, the display device may include a display panel 10, a scan driver 20, a data driver 30, an emission control driver 40, and a controller 50.

The display panel 10 may include a plurality of pixels PX for displaying an image. For example, the display panel 10 may include n × m pixels PX (e.g., where n and m are integers greater than 1, respectively) located at intersections between the scan lines SL1 to SLn and the data lines DL1 to DLm. The structure of the pixel PX will be described in detail with reference to fig. 2.

The scan driver 20 may sequentially supply the first scan signal to the pixels PX through the scan lines SL1 to SLn and sequentially supply the second scan signal to the pixels PX through the inverted scan lines/SL 1 to/SLn based on the first control signal CTL 1. For example, the second scan signal may be an inverted signal of the first scan signal.

The data driver 30 may supply the data signals to the pixels PX through the data lines DL1 to DLm based on the second control signal CTL 2.

The emission control driver 40 may sequentially supply the emission control signals to the pixels PX through the emission control lines EM1 to EMn based on the third control signal CTL 3.

The controller 50 may control the scan driver 20, the data driver 30, and the emission control driver 40. The controller 50 may generate first to third control signals CTL1 to CTL3 to control the scan driver 20, the data driver 30, and the emission control driver 40, respectively. For example, the first control signal CTL1 for controlling the scan driver 20 may include a scan start signal, a scan clock signal, and the like. For example, the second control signal CTL2 for controlling the data driver 30 may include image data, a horizontal start signal, and the like. For example, the third control signal CTL3 for controlling the transmission control driver 40 may include a transmission control start signal, a transmission control clock signal, and the like.

In addition, the display device may further include a power supply unit configured to supply the first power supply voltage ELVDD, the second power supply voltage ELVSS, and the initialization voltage VINT to the display panel 10.

Fig. 2 is a circuit diagram showing an example of a pixel included in the display device of fig. 1.

Referring to fig. 2, the pixel PX may include first to seventh transistors T1 to T7, a storage capacitor CST, and an organic light emitting diode OLED. The pixels PX may be located at an ith pixel row (e.g., where i is an integer between 1 and n) and a jth pixel column (e.g., where j is an integer between 1 and m).

The first transistor T1 may be a driving transistor configured to supply a driving current corresponding to the received data signal to the organic light emitting diode OLED. The first transistor T1 may include a gate electrode connected to the first node N1, a first electrode connected to the second node N2, and a second electrode connected to the third node N3.

The second transistor T2 may provide a data signal to the first transistor T1 in response to the first scan signal GS 1. In an exemplary embodiment of the inventive concept, the second transistor T2 may include a gate electrode configured to receive the first scan signal GS1 from the ith scan line SLi, a first electrode configured to receive the data signal from the jth data line DLj, and a second electrode connected to the first electrode of the first transistor T1. For example, the second electrode of the second transistor T2 may be connected to the second node N2.

The third transistor T3 may connect the second electrode of the first transistor T1 to the gate electrode of the first transistor T1 in response to the second scan signal GS 2. In exemplary embodiments of the inventive concept, the third transistor T3 may include a gate electrode configured to receive the second scan signal GS2 from the ith reverse scan line/SLi, a first electrode connected to the second electrode of the first transistor T1, and a second electrode connected to the gate electrode of the first transistor T1. For example, a first electrode of the third transistor T3 may be connected to the third node N3. For example, the second electrode of the third transistor T3 may be connected to the first node N1.

The fourth transistor T4 may apply the initialization voltage VINT to the gate electrode of the first transistor T1 in response to the third scan signal GS 3. In example embodiments of the inventive concept, the fourth transistor T4 may include a gate electrode, a first electrode connected to the initialization voltage VINT, and a second electrode connected to the gate electrode of the first transistor T1 at the first node N1. The gate electrode of the fourth transistor T4 is configured to receive the third scan signal GS3 from the (i-1) th reverse scan line/SL (i-1).

The fifth transistor T5 may apply the first power supply voltage ELVDD to the first electrode of the first transistor T1 in response to the emission control signal. In exemplary embodiments of the inventive concept, the fifth transistor T5 may include a gate electrode, a first electrode connected to the first power supply voltage ELVDD, and a second electrode connected to the first electrode of the first transistor T1 at the second node N2. A gate electrode of the fifth transistor T5 is configured to receive an emission control signal from the ith emission control line EMi.

The sixth transistor T6 may connect the second electrode of the first transistor T1 to the first electrode of the organic light emitting diode OLED in response to the emission control signal. In exemplary embodiments of the inventive concept, the sixth transistor T6 may include a gate electrode, a first electrode connected to the second electrode of the first transistor T1 at the third node N3, and a second electrode connected to the first electrode of the organic light emitting diode OLED at the fourth node N4. A gate electrode of the sixth transistor T6 is configured to receive an emission control signal from the ith emission control line EMi.

The seventh transistor T7 may apply the initialization voltage VINT to the first electrode of the organic light emitting diode OLED in response to the fourth scan signal GS 4. In exemplary embodiments of the inventive concept, the seventh transistor T7 may include a gate electrode, a first electrode connected to the initialization voltage VINT, and a second electrode connected to the first electrode of the organic light emitting diode OLED (i.e., the fourth node N4). The gate electrode of the seventh transistor T7 is configured to receive the fourth scan signal GS4 from the (i-1) th inverted scan line/SL (i-1).

The storage capacitor CST may include a first electrode connected to the first power supply voltage ELVDD and a second electrode connected to the gate electrode of the first transistor T1 at the first node N1.

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a display device according to an exemplary embodiment of the inventive concept.

Referring to fig. 3, the display device may include a base substrate 100, a buffer layer 110, an active pattern ACT, a first insulating layer 120, a gate conductive layer, a second insulating layer 130, a source-drain conductive layer, a VIA insulating layer VIA, a pixel defining layer PDL, a light emitting structure 180, and a thin film encapsulation layer TFE.

The base substrate 100 may be formed of a transparent or opaque material. For example, the base substrate 100 may include a quartz substrate, a synthetic quartz substrate, a calcium fluoride substrate, a fluorine-doped quartz substrate (e.g., a F-doped quartz substrate), a soda lime glass substrate, a non-alkali glass substrate, and the like. In an exemplary embodiment of the inventive concept, the base substrate 100 may be a transparent resin substrate having flexibility. Examples of the transparent resin substrate that can be used as the base substrate 100 include a polyimide substrate.

The buffer layer 110 may be disposed on the base substrate 100. The buffer layer 110 may prevent diffusion of metal atoms or impurities from the base substrate 100 into the active pattern ACT, and may control a heat transfer rate during a crystallization process for forming the active pattern ACT to obtain a substantially uniform active pattern ACT. In addition, when the surface of the base substrate 100 is not uniform, the buffer layer 110 may serve to increase the flatness of the surface of the base substrate 100. For example, the buffer layer 110 may planarize an upper surface of the base substrate 100.

An active pattern ACT of the thin film transistor TFT may be disposed on the buffer layer 110. For example, the active pattern ACT may include polysilicon. The active pattern ACT may include drain and source regions D and S doped with impurities and a channel region C disposed between the drain and source regions D and S. For example, polysilicon may be formed by depositing amorphous silicon and crystallizing the amorphous silicon. In an exemplary embodiment of the inventive concept, the active pattern ACT may include an oxide semiconductor. For example, the oxide semiconductor may be a binary compound (AB) including tin (Sn), indium (In), zinc (Zn), gallium (Ga), titanium (Ti), aluminum (Al), hafnium (Hf), zirconium (Zr), magnesium (Mg), and the like_x) Ternary compounds (AB)_xC_y) Quaternary compound (AB)_xC_yD_z) And the like.

The first insulating layer 120 may be disposed on the active pattern ACT. For example, the first insulating layer 120 may be arranged at a substantially uniform thickness along the contour of the active pattern ACT to cover the active pattern ACT on the buffer layer 110. In addition, the first insulating layer 120 may cover the active pattern ACT on the buffer layer 110 and may have a substantially flat top surface without generating a step around the active pattern ACT. The first insulating layer 120 may include an inorganic insulating material such as a silicon compound and a metal oxide.

The gate conductive layer may be disposed on the first insulating layer 120. The gate conductive layer may include a gate electrode GE of the thin film transistor TFT. The gate conductive layer may be formed by using a metal, an alloy, a metal nitride, a conductive metal oxide, a transparent conductive material, and the like.

The second insulating layer 130 may cover the gate conductive layer on the first insulating layer 120, and may have a substantially flat top surface without generating a step around the gate conductive layer. In addition, the second insulating layer 130 may be arranged at a substantially uniform thickness along the profile of the gate conductive layer to cover the gate conductive layer on the first insulating layer 120. The second insulating layer 130 may include an inorganic insulating material such as a silicon compound and a metal oxide.

A source-drain conductive layer may be disposed on the second insulating layer 130. The source-drain conductive layer may include a connection electrode CE and a contact pad CP. The source-drain conductive layer may further include a signal line and a voltage line, such as a data line (see, e.g., DL of fig. 4) and a power supply line (see, e.g., PL of fig. 4). The source-drain conductive layer may be formed by using a metal, an alloy, a metal nitride, a conductive metal oxide, a transparent conductive material, and the like. The connection electrode CE and the contact pad CP may each contact the source region S and the drain region D through corresponding contact holes formed in the first and second insulating layers 120 and 130, respectively.

The VIA insulating layer VIA may be disposed on the source-drain conductive layer. The VIA insulating layer VIA may have a single-layer structure, and may also have a multilayer structure including at least two insulating films. The VIA hole insulating layer VIA may be formed by using an organic material such as a photoresist, an acrylic-based resin, a polyimide-based resin, a polyamide-based resin, and a siloxane-based resin.

The light emitting structure 180 may include a first electrode 181, a light emitting layer 182, and a second electrode 183.

The first electrode 181 may be disposed on the VIA insulating layer VIA. In addition, the first electrode 181 may be connected to the contact pad CP through a contact hole formed in the VIA insulating layer VIA. The first electrode 181 may be formed by using, for example, a reflective material or a transmissive material depending on a light emitting scheme of the display device. In exemplary embodiments of the inventive concept, the first electrode 181 may have a single-layer structure or a multi-layer structure including, for example, a metal film, an alloy film, a metal nitride film, a conductive metal oxide film, and/or a transparent conductive material film.

The pixel defining layer PDL may be disposed on the VIA insulating layer VIA on which the first electrode 181 is disposed. The pixel defining layer PDL may be formed by using an organic material, an inorganic material, and the like. For example, the pixel defining layer PDL may be formed by using a photoresist, a polyacrylate-based resin, a polyimide-based resin, an acrylic-based resin, a silicon compound, and the like. In an exemplary embodiment of the inventive concept, the pixel defining layer PDL may be etched to form an opening that partially exposes the first electrode 181. An emission region and a non-emission region of the display device may be formed by the opening of the pixel defining layer PDL. For example, the opening of the pixel defining layer PDL may correspond to an emission region, and the non-emission region may correspond to a portion of the pixel defining layer PDL adjacent to the opening of the pixel defining layer PDL.

The light emitting layer 182 may be disposed on the first electrode 181 exposed through the opening of the pixel defining layer PDL. For example, the light emitting layer 182 may be disposed in an opening of the pixel defining layer PDL. In addition, the light emitting layer 182 may extend onto the sidewall of the opening of the pixel defining layer PDL. In exemplary embodiments of the inventive concept, the light emitting layer 182 may have a multi-layer structure including an organic light emitting layer, a hole injection layer, a hole transport layer, an electron injection layer, and the like. In exemplary embodiments of the inventive concept, a hole injection layer, a hole transport layer, an electron injection layer, and the like may be collectively formed to correspond to a plurality of pixels, in addition to the organic light emitting layer. The organic light emitting layer of the light emitting layer 182 may be formed by using a light emitting material that generates different colors of light (e.g., red light, green light, and blue light) according to each pixel of the display device (e.g., see 182a, 182b, and 182c of fig. 4).

The second electrode 183 may be disposed on the pixel defining layer PDL and the light emitting layer 182. The second electrode 183 may include a transmissive material or a reflective material depending on a light emitting scheme of the display device. In exemplary embodiments of the inventive concept, the second electrode 183 may have a single-layer structure or a multi-layer structure including, for example, a metal film, an alloy film, a metal nitride film, a conductive metal oxide film, and/or a transparent conductive material film.

The thin film encapsulation layer TFE may be disposed on the second electrode 183. The thin film encapsulation layer TFE prevents moisture and oxygen from penetrating the display device from the outside. The thin film encapsulation layer TFE may include at least one organic layer and at least one inorganic layer. The at least one organic layer and the at least one inorganic layer may be alternately stacked with each other. For example, the thin film encapsulation layer TFE may include two inorganic layers and one organic layer disposed therebetween, but the inventive concept is not limited thereto. In exemplary embodiments of the inventive concept, a sealing substrate may be provided instead of the thin film encapsulation layer to block permeation of external air and moisture into the display device.

Fig. 4 is a plan view illustrating a source-drain conductive layer, a pixel electrode, and a light emitting layer of the display device of fig. 3. In fig. 4, the plan view shows regions corresponding to one red sub-pixel (see 182a), one blue sub-pixel (see 182c), and four green sub-pixels (see 182 b).

Referring to fig. 3 and 4, the source-drain conductive layer may include a data line DL, a power line PL, a contact pad CP and a connection electrode CE.

The data line DL may extend in the second direction D2. The data lines DL may have a substantially straight line shape. In addition, the data line DL may include a bent line portion DLb and a straight line portion DLa connected to the bent line portion DLb. In addition, the data line DL is adjacent to the light emitting layer 182c which is an emission region. For example, the connection between the linear portion DLa and the bent line portion DLb is adjacent to the light-emitting layer 182 c.

The power line PL may extend in the second direction D2 while being spaced apart from the first data line DL in the first direction D1. In addition, power supply line PL may include a bent line part PLb and a straight line part PLa connected to bent line part PLb. In addition, the power supply line PL is adjacent to the light emitting layer 182c as an emission region. For example, the connection between the linear portion PLa and the bent line portion PLb is adjacent to the light emitting layer 182 c.

The above-described configuration is to prevent the connection electrode CE from being adjacent to the data line DL or the power line PL without a design margin when the connection electrode CE has a ring shape or the like having a size increased in the first direction D1 substantially perpendicular to the second direction D2.

The red sub-pixel may include a first electrode 181a, a red emission layer 182a, and a second electrode. The green sub-pixel may include a first electrode 181b, a green emission layer 182b, and a second electrode. The blue sub-pixel may include a first electrode 181c, a blue emission layer 182c, and a second electrode.

In the blue sub-pixel, the contact pad CP may be electrically connected to the first electrode 181c through a contact hole formed through the VIA insulating layer VIA (see, e.g., fig. 3). The contact pad CP may not overlap the blue light emitting layer 182c disposed in the opening of the pixel defining layer PDL.

In addition, in the red sub-pixel or the green sub-pixel, the contact pads CP corresponding to the respective pixels may be electrically connected to the first electrodes 181a and 181b through contact holes formed through the VIA insulating layer VIA, respectively. The contact pad CP may not overlap the red and green light emitting layers 182a and 182 b.

The connection electrode CE may overlap the blue light emitting layer 182 c. The connection electrode CE may include a first contact portion, a second contact portion spaced apart from the first contact portion in the second direction D2, and a meander wiring portion connecting the first contact portion to the second contact portion. This configuration will be described in detail below with reference to fig. 5C and 5D.

The connection electrode CE may be formed to correspond to each of the sub-pixels, and the connection electrode CE overlapping the blue light emitting layer 182c may include a bent wiring portion. Accordingly, the concave-convex portion corresponding to the connection electrode CE may be formed on the top surface of the VIA hole insulating layer VIA (see, for example, the top surface of the VIA hole insulating layer VIA of fig. 3). For example, the top surface of the VIA insulating layer VIA may be uneven and include protrusions and depressions. Since the VIA insulating layer VIA is not completely planarized, the VIA insulating layer VIA may have an inclined portion (e.g., a concavo-convex portion) along the connection electrode CE as a wiring disposed below the VIA insulating layer VIA, and a concavo-convex portion corresponding to the concavo-convex portion of the VIA insulating layer VIA may be formed on a top surface (e.g., see the top surface of 181 of fig. 3) of the first electrode 181 c.

For example, the connection electrode CE is a part of the source-drain conductive layer, and the source-drain conductive layer generally extends in the second direction D2, wherein a White Angular Difference (WAD) may vary depending on the azimuth angle. For example, when the display device is obliquely viewed from the left or right side of the display device, and when the display device is obliquely viewed from the upper or lower side of the display device, a deviation of the WAD may occur.

According to the present embodiment, the connection electrode CE includes the bent wiring portion so that the concave and convex portions may be formed as the bent line. Accordingly, the WAD distribution can be improved, and variations in luminance and color coordinates according to the azimuth angle can be reduced.

Here, the WAD is a factor for evaluating a variation in white light emission characteristics according to an observation angle with respect to the organic light emitting diode display device, and is an index for checking the degree of improvement of a wide viewing angle. For example, referring to the WAD, a luminance variation and a color coordinate variation according to a variation of an observation angle on the front side perpendicular to the screen of the display device may be reduced, as compared to a case where the shape structure of the connection electrode according to the exemplary embodiment of the inventive concept is not applied, so that display quality may be improved.

Here, as the WAD improvement rate becomes higher, there is no great difference in the luminance change and the color coordinate change when the display device is obliquely viewed from the side surface of the display device, compared to the case where the display device is viewed from the front side of the display device.

In addition, since the concave and convex portions are formed on the top surface of the first electrode by the bent wiring portion of the connection electrode CE, variations in luminance and color coordinates according to the azimuth angle can be reduced. In other words, when the display device is obliquely observed in various directions such as up, down, left, and right directions, a luminance variation and a color coordinate variation according to a variation in an observation azimuth angle can be reduced, so that display quality can be improved.

In addition, the thickness of the blue light emitting layer 182c may be less than the thickness of each of the red light emitting layer 182a and the green light emitting layer 182 b. For example, the thickness of the green light emitting layer 182b may be greater than that of the blue light emitting layer 182c, and the thickness of the red light emitting layer 182a may be greater than that of the green light emitting layer 182 b. Accordingly, the blue light emitting layer 182c having the minimum thickness may have a large WAD or a large deviation according to the azimuth angle due to the concave and convex portions formed on the top surface of the first electrode, and the WAD or the deviation according to the azimuth angle is increased due to the bent wiring portion of the connection electrode CE.

Fig. 5A, 5B, 5C, and 5D are plan views illustrating various examples of connection electrodes of a display device according to an exemplary embodiment of the inventive concept.

Referring to fig. 5A, the connection electrode CE may include a first contact CT1, a second contact CT2 spaced apart from the first contact CT1 in the second direction D2, a connection wiring portion CL connecting the first contact CT1 to the second contact CT2, and a dummy portion DM including a transverse portion DMa extending in the first direction D1 and connected to the second contact CT2 and a longitudinal portion DMb extending in the second direction D2 and connected to the transverse portion DMa. The dummy portion DM may overlap the light emitting layer 182 c. For example, the light emitting layer 182c may completely overlap the dummy portion DM.

The dummy portion DM may form an inclined portion (concave-convex portion) on the top surface of the first electrode, similarly to the bent wiring portion described in fig. 4. Accordingly, the WAD and the deviation in luminance and color coordinates according to the azimuth angle can be improved.

Referring to fig. 5B, the connection electrode CE may include a first contact CT1, a second contact CT2 spaced apart from the first contact CT1 in the second direction D2, a connection wiring part CL connecting the first contact CT1 to the second contact CT2, and a dummy part including a first lateral part DMa1 and a second lateral part DMa2 extending leftward and rightward in the first direction D1 from the connection wiring part CL, respectively. The dummy part may be electrically connected to the first contact part CT1, the second contact part CT2, and the connection wiring part CL of the connection electrode CE, and may have various shapes other than those shown in fig. 5A and 5B. For example, the dummy portion may have a bent line shape and a straight line shape.

Referring to fig. 5C, the connection electrode CE may include a first contact CT1, a second contact CT2 spaced apart from the first contact CT1 in the second direction D2, and first and second bending wiring portions CL1 and CL2 connecting the first contact CT1 to the second contact CT 2. The first and second bending wiring portions CL1 and CL2 may have an annular shape. The first and second meander wiring portions CL1 and CL2 having a ring shape may overlap the light emitting layer 182 c. For example, the first and second meander wiring portions CL1 and CL2 may completely overlap the light emitting layer 182 c.

Referring to fig. 5D, the connection electrode CE may include a first contact CT1, a second contact CT2 spaced apart from the first contact CT1 in the second direction D2, and a meander wiring CCL connecting the first contact CT1 to the second contact CT 2. The meander wiring portion CCL may have an arc shape or a meander shape. The meander wiring portion CCL may overlap the luminescent layer 182 c. For example, the light emitting layer 182c may completely overlap the meander wiring portion CCL.

Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a display device according to an exemplary embodiment of the inventive concept, and fig. 7 is a plan view illustrating an electrode, a pixel electrode, and a light emitting layer of the display device of fig. 6.

Referring to fig. 6 and 7, the display device may include a base substrate 100, a buffer layer 110, an active pattern ACT of a thin film transistor TFT, a first insulating layer 120, a first gate conductive layer, a second insulating layer 130, a second gate conductive layer, a third insulating layer 140, a first source-drain conductive layer, a first VIA insulating layer VIA1, a second source-drain conductive layer, a second VIA insulating layer VIA2, a pixel defining layer PDL, a light emitting structure 180, and a thin film encapsulation layer TFE. The components of the display device of fig. 6 may be substantially the same as those of the display devices of fig. 3 and 4, respectively, except that the display device of fig. 6 further includes a second source-drain conductive layer. Therefore, any redundant description thereof may be omitted.

The first gate conductive layer may include a gate electrode GE of the thin film transistor TFT. The second gate conductive layer may include a storage electrode STE overlapping the gate electrode GE to form a storage capacitor.

The first source-drain conductive layer may include a source electrode SE and a drain electrode DE of the thin film transistor TFT. The second source-drain conductive layer may include an electrode EL. The electrode EL may include a contact portion CP, a dummy meander wiring portion DM spaced apart from the contact portion CP in the second direction D2, and a connection wiring portion CL connecting the dummy meander wiring portion DM to the contact portion CP. The dummy meander wiring portion DM may have a meander line shape, and may have, for example, a ring shape. The dummy meander wiring portion DM may overlap the light emitting layer 182 of the light emitting structure 180. For example, the dummy meander wiring portion DM may completely overlap the light emitting layer 182.

The contact portion CP of the electrode EL may be electrically connected to the first electrode 181 of the light emitting structure 180 through a contact hole formed through the second VIA insulating layer VIA 2. The contact portion CP of the electrode EL may be electrically connected to the thin film transistor TFT through a contact hole formed through the first VIA insulating layer VIA 1.

In an exemplary embodiment of the inventive concept, the electrode EL may be similar to the connection electrode in fig. 5A to 5D. For example, the electrode EL may include a first contact portion, a second contact portion spaced apart from the first contact portion, and a meander wiring portion connecting the first and second contact portions to each other. For example, the first contact or the second contact may be connected to a thin film transistor TFT. However, the inventive concept is not so limited. For example, each of the first and second contacts may be electrically connected to a conductive pattern (e.g., a thin film transistor TFT) through a contact hole formed through the first VIA insulating layer VIA 1.

Fig. 8 is a block diagram illustrating an electronic device according to an exemplary embodiment of the inventive concept, fig. 9A is a diagram illustrating an example in which the electronic device of fig. 8 is implemented as a television, and fig. 9B is a diagram illustrating an example in which the electronic device of fig. 8 is implemented as a smart phone.

Referring to fig. 8 and 9, the electronic device 500 may include a processor 510, a memory device 520, a storage device 530, an input/output (I/O) device 540, a power supply 550, and a display device 560. Here, the display device 560 may be the display device of fig. 1. Additionally, the electronic device 500 may also include multiple ports for communicating with, for example, video cards, sound cards, memory cards, universal serial bus ("USB") devices, other electronic devices, and the like. In an exemplary embodiment of the inventive concept, as shown in fig. 9A, the electronic device 500 may be implemented as a television. In an exemplary embodiment of the inventive concept, as shown in fig. 9B, the electronic device 500 may be implemented as a smartphone. However, the electronic device 500 is not limited thereto. For example, the electronic device 500 may be implemented as a cellular phone, video phone, smart tablet, smart watch, tablet Personal Computer (PC), car navigation system, computer display screen, laptop, Head Mounted Display (HMD) device, and so forth.

Processor 510 may perform various computing functions. Processor 510 may be a microprocessor, Central Processing Unit (CPU), Application Processor (AP), or the like. The processor 510 may be coupled to other components via an address bus, a control bus, a data bus, and so forth. Further, the processor 510 may be coupled to an expansion bus such as a Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus. The memory device 520 may store data for operation of the electronic device 500. For example, the memory device 520 may include at least one non-volatile memory device such as an Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory (EPROM) device, an Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory (EEPROM) device, a flash memory device, a phase change random access memory (PRAM) device, a Resistive Random Access Memory (RRAM) device, a Nano Floating Gate Memory (NFGM) device, a polymer random access memory (popram) device, a Magnetic Random Access Memory (MRAM) device, a Ferroelectric Random Access Memory (FRAM) device, etc., and/or at least one volatile memory device such as a Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM) device, a Static Random Access Memory (SRAM) device, a mobile DRAM device, etc. For example, the storage device 530 may include a Solid State Drive (SSD) device, a Hard Disk Drive (HDD) device, a CD-ROM device, and the like. The I/O devices 540 may include input devices such as keyboards, keypads, mouse devices, touch pads, touch screens, etc., and output devices such as printers, speakers, etc. The power supply 550 may provide power for the operation of the electronic device 500.

The display device 560 may be coupled to the other components via a bus or other communication link. In an exemplary embodiment of the inventive concept, the I/O device 540 may include a display device 560. As described above, in the display device 560, the connection electrode of the source-drain conductive layer disposed under the light emitting layer of the light emitting structure includes the bent wiring portion or the dummy portion so that the concave-convex portion may be formed on the top surface of the first electrode of the light emitting structure. Accordingly, the WAD distribution can be improved, and variations in luminance and color coordinates according to the azimuth angle can be reduced. Since these are described above, the repetitive description related thereto is not repeated.

Embodiments of the inventive concept are applicable to a display device and an electronic device including the display device. For example, the inventive concepts may be applied to smart phones, cellular phones, video phones, smart tablets, smartwatches, tablets, car navigation systems, televisions, computer displays, laptops, head mounted display devices, and the like.

Although the present inventive concept has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the scope and spirit of the present inventive concept.